Help.

Wednesday mornings we're inviting people to meet with us at Taborspace in SE Portland at 7am, but we're also welcoming individuals to take part remotely. Tuesday evenings the plans for Wednesday mornings will be posted here. We believe that life is better together, however we can make that happen. Please consider making this a regular part of your weekly practice.

We know that it is tough to find communities centered on Contemplative Christianity and hope this serves as a support for individuals who don't feel like they fit inside or outside of the church, but still haven't given up their seeking and knocking.

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

S A C R E D R E A D I N G

R E A D - Without bias, assumption, or expectation; fully and simply listen, with your mind and heart; read through the passage at least twice

R E F L E C T - Is there a phrase, word, or impression that stands out to you? Sit with it for a minute (Refrain from overanalyzing; keep it simple)

R E S P O N D - Allow God’s inspiration to emerge as a brief prayer, even just one word (Again, keeping it simple, remaining centered on Christ rather than on your communication to Him)

R E S T - Simply be with God. Spend a few minutes practicing being as present to God as God is to you. Silently. Humbly. Lovingly.

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, some people brought to him a man who could not talk because a demon was in him. After Jesus had forced the demon out, the man started talking. The crowds were so amazed that they began saying, “Nothing like this has ever happened in Israel!” But the Pharisees said, “The leader of the demons gives him the power to force out demons.”Jesus went to every town and village. He taught in their meeting places and preached the good news about God’s kingdom. Jesus also healed every kind of disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he felt sorry for them. They were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, “A large crop is in the fields, but there are only a few workers. Ask the Lord in charge of the harvest to send out workers to bring it in.”– Matthew 8.32-38

H O M I L Y

The Pharisees and church leaders resented Jesus’ work because they felt like it undermined their significance in their culture. It made them feel like they were unimportant and insignificant. How often do we treat others according to how they make us feel about ourselves, rather than who they are? But Jesus didn’t see roles determining importance. Jesus saw Life, the presence and work of God, ready to burst open and understood nothing to be more important. Then, he asked for help. May we actively love people, not for what they mean to us, but what they mean to God. And may we seek and ask to enjoy the growth and abundance of Life together.

S I L E N T P R A Y E R

Make space for your mind to slow and be still. Use a passage, prayer, phrase, or word to bring a focus and allow distractions to pass. It is an act of trust in God that is engaging our whole heart, soul, mind, body, and strength. Simply aim to be as present to God as God is present to you and trust that that is more than enough.

When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. … And when you pray, do not keep on babbling …– Jesus, Matthew 6:6-8

Pray without ceasing.– 1 Thessalonians 5:17

T W E N T Y M I N U T E S O F S I L E N T P R A Y E R

C L O S I N G P R A Y E R

Oh my God,I want to love You;Not that I might gain eternal heaven,Nor escape eternal hell, but Lord,To love You just becauseYou are my God.Grant me to give to YouAnd not to count the cost;To fight for YouAnd not to mind the wounds;To labor and expect nothing in return,Except for the knowledge that I serve my God.– St Ignatius of Loyola